More than half of the companies active abroad have recently struggled with additional commercial barriers, according to a survey by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are clear differences between the world regions.
Security requirements or sanctions are only two of many points that make exporters heavier. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) interviewed almost 2600 companies about the situation of companies in the foreign trade business.
The result: 58 percent of the companies active abroad have reported additional trade barriers in the past twelve months. In the previous year it was still 61 percent. Nevertheless, it is the second highest value in the series of times since 2012.
Particularly local certification requirements and increased security requirements make planning difficult and drove the costs. In addition, there would be sanctions, non -transparent legislation and specifications to have to produce certain quotas locally.
Worries mainly because of the United States
DIHK foreign manager Volker Treier is particularly referring to the United States under President Donald Trump: “The growing trade barriers and protectionist signals from Washington are very concerned about our companies.”
The Republican has been a trade dispute with the EU, but also China and the US neighbors Canada and Mexico. 70 percent of German companies surveyed expected negative effects of US trade policy on their business.
The United States was still a hope of hope last year. Now the situation for German companies has worsened the most by far.
Expires expected to decline
The published survey took place before Trump's announcement of imposing additional tariffs of 25 percent on auto imports. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry is now even worse business for Germany's exporters. For 2025, a decline in exports are already expected, says Dihk Foreign Management Head of the Solid of the Service.
“We are even more pessimistic with yesterday evening,” he explains. The minus of one percent under the forecast is “now the optimistic edge”. The companies are in a violent and unfair location competition.
Only a minority believes in improvement
According to DIHK, the new tariffs are a major challenge in the United States. Half of the companies already feel a burden here after it was just under a quarter in the previous year.
In China it is the guidelines to have to produce on site. Within the euro zone, it is mainly about homemade problems such as bureaucracy or more difficult access to public orders.
A total of 23 percent of companies surveyed expect a deterioration in their foreign business in the current year. Only 15 percent expect lightening.
